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Richard Baxter
Church concord
Text
Question 2
p. 63

Church Concord: CONTAINING,I. A Dissuasive from unnecessary Division and Separation, and the Real Concord of the Moderate Independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in Ten seeming Differences.II. The terms Necessary for Concord among all true Churches and Christians.The First Part written 1655. The Second Part 1667. And Published this 1691. To second a late Agreement of the London Protestant Nonconformists: And a former Treatise called [The true and only terms of Church-Concord.]By RICHARD BAXTER.Mat. 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God.1 Thess. 5. 12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and esteem them very highly in Love for their Works sake; and Be at Peace among your selves.Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3. If there be any Consolation in Christ, If any Comfort of Love, If any Fellowship of the Spirit, If any Bowels and Mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one Mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory: but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves.1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3. And I, Brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal; to Babes in Christ—For whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal and walk as men?LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel. 1691.Church Concord: CONTAINING,I. A Disswasive from unnecessary Division and Separation, and the Real Concord of the Moderate Independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in Ten seeming Differences.II. The terms Necessary for Concord among all true Churches and Christians.The First Part written 1655. The Second Part 1667. And Published this 1691. To second a late Agreement of the London Protestant Nonconformists: And a former Treatise called [The true and only terms of Church-Concord.]By RICHARD BAXTER.Mat. 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God.1 Thess. 5. 12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and esteem them very highly in Love for their Works sake; and Be at Peace among your selves.Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3. If there be any Consolation in Christ, If any Comfort of Love, If any Fellowship of the Spirit, If any Bowels and Mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one Mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory: but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves.1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3. And I, Brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal; to Babes in Christ—For whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal and walk as men?LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel. 1691.Title page of Church concord, London, 1691

A26897:326

Church concord

Church concord containing I. a dissuasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.Church concord containing I. a disswasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691

[16], 76 p. · 47k words · Wing B1223 · ESTC R14982

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.

[ Earlier:323–338 of 397

:323p. 62

II. Q. 1. We speak only of Visible Christians in this second Question also (of Church Communion.)

:324p. 62–63

2. [A Particular Church] signifieth either, 1. A Community of Christians ⟨p. 63⟩agreed to live under Pastoral Guidance, before they have a Pastor, or have practised that agreement. This is not the Church here mean•. 2. Or a Political Society of Christian Pastor and People professedly associated for Personal Communion, Exercise of these Relations as such in the public worshipping of God, and for the furtherance of Love and Obedience in each other.

2. [A Particular Church] signifieth either, 1. A Community of Christians ⟨p. 63⟩agreed to live under Pastora• Guidance, before they have a Pastor, or have practised that agreement. This is not the Church here mean•. 2. Or a Political Society of Christian Pastor and People professedly associated for Personal Communion, Exercise of these Relations as such in the publick worshipping of God, and for the furtherance of Love and Obedience in each other.

:325p. 63

The Ends difference it from all Civil Societies of Christians; and from the associations of many Churches for Communion by delegates.

:326p. 63

[ Earlier passages Later passages ]

Position

Cited: :326
On this page: :323–338
Section: :323–352
Whole work: 397 passages

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Richard Baxter, Church concord (London, 1691), q. 2, p. 63. EEBO-TCP A26897.

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The book

Title as printed: Church concord containing I. a dissuasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.Church concord containing I. a disswasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Bookseller: Tho. Parkhurst
Year: 1691
Size: [16], 76 p.
Words: 46,867
Catalogue: Wing B1223 · ESTC R14982
Text: EEBO-TCP A26897

Passages: 397
Sections: 27

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

PuritansEngland

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

Transcription key

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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Terms

The necessary Terms of this Church Communion are these.

:327p. 63

1. The Pastor (whether one or more) must have all things essential to his Office. 1. As to his Qualifications, that is, 1. That he understand at least the Essential Points of Christianity and Church Communion. 2. That he be able to teach them to others in some competent degree. 3. That he be willing to do it; and this for Gods Honour, the Churches Good, and Mens Salvation. 2. As to his Call, that he have a true notification of the will of God, that he should undertake this Office; which is ordinarily done. 1. By the Ordination, (that is, the Approbation and Investiture) of Bishops or Pastors. 2. And (in this case of his relation to a particular Church) by the peoples consent: All this in truth is needful before God, and in Appearance and Profession before the Church.

:328p. 63

2. The People must be Baptized persons, Sacramentally engaged into Covenant with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and such as have not professedly deserted that Covenant by Apostasy; nor are proved before a lawful Judicature to be deserters of any Essential part thereof. (Whether open professed Covenanting may not serve without Baptism in cases of Necessity, where Baptism cannot be had, is a case so extraordinary that we need not here meddle with it.)

2. The People must be Baptized persons, Sacramentally engaged into Covenant with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and such as have not professedly deserted that Covenant by Apostasie; nor are proved before a lawful Judicature to be deserters of any Essential part thereof. (Whether open professed Covenanting may not serve without Baptism in cases of Necessity, where Baptism cannot be had, is a case so extraordinary that we need not here meddle with it.)

:329p. 63

3. He that was Baptized in Infancy, and yet having opportunity at full age doth make no Profession of Christianity, nor own his Baptismal Covenant openly by word or deed, is to be numbered with Deserters.

:330p. 63

4. Though the most plain and open profession is usually best, where it may be •ad; yet a profession less explicit may serve to the being of Church-members; such as is their actual joining with those Churches, who purposely assemble to make public profession of the Christian Religion (Faith, Love and Obedience.)

4. Though the most plain and open profession is usually best, where it may be •ad; yet a profession less explicite may serve to the being of Church-members; such as is their actual joyning with those Churches, who purposely assemble to make publick profession of the Christian Religion (Faith, Love and Obedience.)

:331p. 63

5. There must be also a signification of consent to their particular Church-Relation: either more express and plain, or at least by such actions which may be reasonably presumed to signify it. (As ordinary joining in Church-worship with that particular Church, and submitting to the necessary guidance of the Pastors.)

5. There must be also a signification of consent to their particular Church-Relation: either more express and plain, or at least by such actions which may be reasonably presumed to signifie it. (As ordinary joining in Church-worship with that particular Church, and submitting to the necessary guidance of the Pastors.)

:332p. 63

6. He that thus consenteth to his Relation to the Pastor and that Church, is a Member, though he consent not to the Membership or Presence of many particular Members thereof: Because they are but Integral and not Essential parts of the Church.

:333p. 63–64

7. But if a usual mixture (in the Assemblies) of Heretics or Strangers which are not Members of that Church, or any other confounding cause do give the Pastors sufficient reason to call all or part of the people to an express signification ⟨p. 64⟩of their consent to their Relation, to put it out of doubt; they that causelessly refuse such signification, do seem to deny their consent, and allow the Pastor and Church to judge of them accordingly.

7. But if a usual mixture (in the Assemblies) of Hereticks or Strangers which are not Members of that Church, or any other confounding cause do give the Pastors sufficient reason to call all or part of the people to an express signification ⟨p. 64⟩of their consent to their Relation, to put it out of doubt; they that causelesly refuse such signification, do seem to deny their consent, and allow the Pastor and Church to judge of them accordingly.

:334p. 64

8. The office of the Bishops or Pastors is subordinate to the Teaching, and Interceding and Ruling office of Christ; And their work is to Teach the people the Word of God; to be their Mouth and Guide in public Worship, in Prayer, and in Thanksgiving and Praise to God, and to administer his holy Sacraments, and to exercise that Power of the Keys which Christ hath committed to their trust, in the Prudent and cautelous use of Church-Discipline: And all this according to the Laws of Christ, recorded in the holy Scriptures. These therefore must be the Works and Ends, for which these Churches must (professedly) assemble: Especially on the Lord's Days, which are separated to these holy Uses.

8. The office of the Bishops or Pastors is subordinate to the Teaching, and Interceeding and Ruling office of Christ; And their work is to Teach the people the Word of God; to be their Mouth and Guide in publick Worship, in Prayer, and in Thanksgiving and Praise to God, and to administer his holy Sacraments, and to exercise that Power of the Keys which Christ hath committed to their trust, in the Prudent and cautelous use of Church-Discipline: And all this according to the Laws of Christ, recorded in the holy Scriptures. These therefore must be the Works and Ends, for which these Churches must (professedly) assemble: Especially on the Lord's Days, which are separated to these holy Uses.

:335p. 64

9. The General Command (in Nature and Scripture) that all be done to Edification, decently and in order, do require the Church with Prudence to determine of such undetermined Circumstances, Modes and Orders, as fall under those Generals: As what Translation of the Scriptures to use; what Metre of the Psalms; what Tunes; whether to divide the Scriptures into Chapters and Verses; what Chapters to read; what Psalms to Sing, and when and how many: what particular Method to use in Preaching; and what words: what helps for Memory? whether written Notes? in length or briefly? At what Hour to begin: How long to Preach and Pray: In what words to Pray. In what decent habit, and in what gesture to Preach or Sing God's Praises, &c. what Utensils to use, as Pulpit, Font, Table, Cloth, Cups, &c. In what Place, &c. In all which the Pastors are the Guides by Office, and in many the Agents: And it is no sinful Will-worship or adding to the Word of God, to determine in such cases: And they that will not stand to such Determinations cannot be Members of their Flocks: As if any will not meet at that time, or place where the Church doth meet, or will not use the same Psalms, or Translations, or hear the Pastor in such a Method, or with such Notes, &c. he thereby refuseth the Communion of that Church; which must have some determinate time and place, &c. But yet the Pastors Power being for Edification, and not for Destruction, he must take the Peoples consent in all, so far as the Churches good requireth it, to their Edification and Peace, and guide them as a Father by Love, and in Humility as the Servant of all, and not as Lording it over the Flock: And if his Determination should be so perverse as to be destructive of the Church or of the Worship of God, the people must seek the due Remedy (of which more anon).

:336p. 64–65

10. As the Keys of the Church are committed by Christ to the Pastors, for intromission, Guidance and Sentential Excommunication, that is, for the Government of the Church; so the People must not usurp any part of their office: They are not obliged to try the Faith or Holiness of such as are to be Baptized, or such as are to be received into their Public Communion; but may rest in the Pastors Judgment, whose office it is to try them: supposing still ⟨p. 65⟩that they have their due remedy, in case of corrupting or destructive Male▪administration. And that their needful assistance in their Places should be used.

10. As the Keys of the Church are committed by Christ to the Pastors, for intromission, Guidance and Sentential Excommunication, that is, for the Government of the Church; so the People must not usurp any part of their office: They are not obliged to try the Faith or Holiness of such as are to be Baptized, or such as are to be received into their Publick Communion; but may rest in the Pastors Judgment, whose office it is to try them: supposing still ⟨p. 65⟩that they have their due remedy, in case of corrupting or destructive Male▪administration. And that their needful assistance in their Places should be used.

:337p. 65

11. If any Member of the Church do live in any Heresy or other great Sin, contrary to his Covenant with God, those who are acquainted with it, must admonish him and seek to bring him to Repentance, in the order appointed by Christ; And if he repent not, they must tell the Church; And if being duly admonished by the Pastors, he yet repent not, the Pastors as the Church Guides, must pronounce him unfit for the Communion of the Church, and require him to forbear it, and the people to avoid him; which the people must obey. Yet so, as that if the people have sufficient cause to doubt whether a censure be not contrary to the Word of God, they may enquire into the cause; And if they find it contrary indeed, they must not execute that Sentence, by any of those private Acts of alienation, which are in their own Power: And they may seek due reparation of the public breach.

11. If any Member of the Church do live in any Heresie or other great Sin, contrary to his Covenant with God, those who are acquainted with it, must admonish him and seek to bring him to Repentance, in the order appointed by Christ; And if he repent not, they must tell the Church; And if being duely admonished by the Pastors, he yet repent not, the Pastors as the Church Guides, must pronounce him unfit for the Communion of the Church, and require him to forbear it, and the people to avoid him; which the people must obey. Yet so, as that if the people have sufficient cause to doubt whether a censure be not contrary to the Word of God, they may enquire into the cause; And if they find it contrary indeed, they must not execute that Sentence, by any of those private Acts of alienation, which are in their own Power: And they may seek due reparation of the publick breach.

:338p. 65

12. If one Pastor of a Church where there are many do perniciously and notably corrupt the Faith or the Worship, or the Discipline of the Church, the other Pastors must admonish him, and both they and the people disown him, if after a first and second Admonition, he repent not. And the same must the people do by all the Pastors, if all be guilty in the same kind; and must trust their Souls with more faithful Pastors. But this must not be done mistakingly, headily or rashly, nor as an Act of Government over the Pastors or the Church; but as an Act of Obedience to God, for the preservation of their Souls, and of the interest of Christ: Nor must it be done without such consultation with, and assistance of the Neighbour Churches, or the Magistrates, as their case shall make necessary or profitable to their right Ends. Nor by a violation of any lawful Orders of the Magistrates.

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⟨p. 12⟩

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